December 1, 2009
Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Giovanni’s Room continues the fundraising effort for their rebuilding fund, by hosting a wealth of excellent authors through out the month of December. All of the readings are from 5:30PM to 7PM, with a $10 donation requested for the rebuilding.
Tuesday, December 1st
Mary L. Gray & Ellen Lewin
Authors of Out in the Country: Youth, Media, and Queer Visibility in Rural America
Saturday, December 19th
Jane Velez-Mitchell
Author of iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life
Sunday, December 27th
Peter Covino & Mary Cappello
A reading and dialogue with poet Peter Covino and nonfiction writer, Mary Cappello.
Stop by, and support this wonderful independent bookstore. Check out their website for even more events through December.
Giovanni’s Room
345 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-2960
www.giovannisroom.com
November 18, 2009
Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
This Saturday, Giovanni’s Room, the oldest LGBT bookstore in the country, is hosting a Read-a-thon fundraiser. The store has been faced with a lot of financial challenges while restoring the shop’s front wall and as a result, they’ve been hosting a lot of fundraisers lately, with plenty more coming up.
Over twenty authors are stopping by to support the shop this Saturday, including Steve Berman, S. Renee Bess, Perry Brass, Tim Brough, Victoria Brownworth, Rob Byrnes, David Carter, Mark Hardy, Ken Harvey, Bill Konigsberg, Livia Lllewellyn, Malinda Lo, Bobbi Marolt, Mark Merlis, Thom Nickles, Radclyffe, Paul Russell, Scott Sherman and Bob Smith.
The Read-a-thon is being thrown in conjunction with the Lambda Literary Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting LGBT writers. 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales are going towards the two sponsors, and the suggested donation is $25, with tickets available at the door.
The event kicks off at 7:30PM and runs until 10PM. Wine and snacks will be served. Stop by and support an important institution in Philadelphia’s LGBT community.
Read-a-thon Fundraiser @ Giovanni’s Room
Saturday, November 21st, 2009, 7:30PM
Giovanni’s Room
345 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-2960
www.giovannisroom.com
August 7, 2009
Photography by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Okay, so it’s been a hot and muggy summer. You’ve hit the beach every weekend, you went to the clubs in Asbury Park, and now you’re looking for something different. Well, grab some friends and your favorite queer books, and enjoy a stroll down Pine Street to the bookstore with a twist.
On Friday, August 14th, Emanuel Xavier, author of Christ Like, will sit down with fans to read passages from his book that is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. When it was first published ten years ago, Christ Like announced the arrival of a unique and important new voice among gay and Latino/a writers. Ten years later, the novel retains its compelling power as it takes the reader on a journey through the New York club scene. It’s safe to say that any club scene, no matter where you’re located, can be a jagged journey of acceptance and rejection.
Rodney Lofton, author of No More Tomorrows: Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love, will discuss this touching love story of two men and the impact of living and loving in the age of AIDS. The reading and greeting takes place on Saturday August 15th.
And if you’re looking for a little comic relief, join Michael Montlack editor of My Diva: 65 Gay Men on the Women Who Inspire Them. Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Julia Child, Madonna… these divas have been sister, alter ego, fairy godmother, or model-for-survival to gay men and the closeted boys they once were. Michael will discuss My Diva on Sunday, August 16th.
Well that’s it folks, I hope you can make it!
Giovanni’s Room
345 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5907
215) 923-2960
www.giovannisroom.com
August 7, 2009
Photography by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
Okay, so it’s been a hot and muggy summer. You’ve hit the beach every weekend, you went to the clubs in Asbury Park, and now you’re looking for something different. Well, grab some friends and your favorite queer books, and enjoy a stroll down Pine Street to the bookstore with a twist.
On Friday, August 14th, Emanuel Xavier, author of Christ Like, will sit down with fans to read passages from his book that is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. When it was first published ten years ago, Christ Like announced the arrival of a unique and important new voice among gay and Latino/a writers. Ten years later, the novel retains its compelling power as it takes the reader on a journey through the New York club scene. It’s safe to say that any club scene, no matter where you’re located, can be a jagged journey of acceptance and rejection.
Rodney Lofton, author of No More Tomorrows: Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love, will discuss this touching love story of two men and the impact of living and loving in the age of AIDS. The reading and greeting takes place on Saturday August 15th.
And if you’re looking for a little comic relief, join Michael Montlack editor of My Diva: 65 Gay Men on the Women Who Inspire Them. Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Julia Child, Madonna… these divas have been sister, alter ego, fairy godmother, or model-for-survival to gay men and the closeted boys they once were. Michael will discuss My Diva on Sunday, August 16th.
Well that’s it folks, I hope you can make it!
Giovanni’s Room
345 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107-5907
215) 923-2960
www.giovannisroom.com
June 30, 2009
My favorite gayborhood bookstore, Giovanni’s Room, looks to sizzle this July with some must-attend events and readings taking place through mid-month. And what better way to cool off from the summer heat than an evening with your favorite queer author. (FYI – Giovanni’s Room has air conditioning too!)
Join Evan Fallenberg, author of Light Fell, Wednesday evening July 7th, at 5:30 PM as he reads excerpts from this highly regarded first novel! Twenty years have passed since Joseph left his family and his religious Israeli community when he fell in love with rabbi Yoel Rosenzweig. Now, for his 50th birthday, Joseph prepares to spend Sabbath at his Tel Aviv penthouse with his five sons and the daughter-in-law he never. Doesn’t this scenario just spell drama?
On Friday, July 17th, Kimberly “Q” aka the Lesbian Goddess will read passages from Lesbian Funk. The Funk, is based on the untapped core of a woman’s attitudinized nature – it’s just waiting to be unleashed. Watch out, they are women, hear them roar!
James Roberts, Hal Tarr, Thom Nickels, and Victoria Brownworth are former members of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and have contributed to Smash the Church, Smash The State: The Early Years of Gay Liberation. This anthology captures the essence, the history, and the spirit of the revolutionary time following the Stonewall riots in NYC. This was s time when thousands declared their sexuality, and queer resistance coalesced into a turbulent, joyous liberation movement – one with a lasting influence. Readings from this anthology are slated for Saturday, July 18th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
For more information on these scheduled events please visit www.queerbooks.com. See you there!
Giovanni’s Room
12th and Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 923-2960
www.queerbooks.com
April 2, 2009
Our favorite Gayborhood bookstore “” Giovanni’s Room “” boasts a number of educational and entertaining events this April. Readings galore covering a wealth of topics from a number of talented writers. From authors like Staceyann Chin, Jon Ginoli, Warren Hoffman, and local Philadelphia poet R. Angel West, there is certainly something for everyone.
I’ve got the full list of what’s going on, detailed below. All the readings take place at 5:30PM. See you there, folks!
Staceyann Chin @ Neighborhood House of Christ Church
Reading from her work, The Other Side of Paradise: A Memoir
Friday, April 3rd
20 North American Street (near 2nd & Market Sts.)
Jon Ginoli @ Giovanni’s Room
From from his work, Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division
Saturday, April 11th
More after the jump!
March 11, 2009
Acclaimed author of the queer genre, Thomas Glave will head south from New England to our fair city this Thursday and read excerpts from his acclaimed novel, The Torture’s Wife at our favorite “gayborhood” bookstore “” Giovanni’s Room.
Known for his courageous explorations into race and sexuality, Glave expands his lyrical experimentation of anti-gay violence, war, secret fetishes and desire “” to name a few “” in his this latest and greatest novel. Glave will sure captivate and mentally arouse his audience.
I suggest arriving early, grab a copy of the book, along with your favorite warm cup of coffee and cozy up next to the fireplace on the second floor. Seating is limited and Glave often draws large crowds. The event is set to begin sharply at 5:30 PM, Thursday, March 12th!
Giovanni’s Room
345 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-2960
www.giovannisroom.com
